He Can; Even If He Won't
Notes
Transcript
Text
Text
If I walk into the thick of danger,
You will preserve my life
from the anger of my enemies.
You will extend Your hand;
Your right hand will save me.
Introduction
Introduction
“He's an on time God, Yes He is, He's an on time God, Yes He is. He may not come when you want Him, but He'll be there right on time. He's an on time God, Yes He is.” (Peoples, 1995) You could not enter my late grandmother’s room, without hearing this song. It was a time you couldn’t enter the sanctuary of Southern Mission Missionary Baptist Church without hearing my pastor, Pastor Jerome Jackson, I, Sr. singing his rendition on this hit.
This is a great song, but it can be misleading to the new or immature Christian. The Immature Christians are the members that leave after the choir sings, and don’t study. It gives the illusion that God always show up in the “The Nick of Time”. Have you ever wonder what would happen if God didn’t show up? Have you ever experienced a situation where your deliverance didn’t come until after you were already consuming in the situation? If you have ever wondered about this, then this message is for you. If you had ever experienced this, then this message is for you. Let’s look at what happens when God shows up in His time, instead of the “Nick of Time”.
Background
Background
If you have been around the church, for any period of time, then story the Three Hebrew Boys is not new to you. However, for the sake of edifying the entire body of believers please allows me to bring the less knowledgeable up to date. The book of Daniel begins with the story of the Judah (Southern Israel) being taken into captivity by Babylonia King Nebuchadnezzar.
During the sedge of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar took whom he wanted and what he wanted from the king. King Nebuchadnezzar took the best of the Israelites youth, and left the others to there to fend for themselves for the next nineteen years. He took the youth, and places them in the care of the Chaldeans. The Chaldeans were a group of highly educated Babylonians. The Chaldeans changed the name of four Hebrew men. The original names of these individuals Were Daniel (God is my Judge), Hananiah (The grace of the Lord), Mishael (He that is the Strong God), and Azariah (The Lord is a help). The Chaldeans changed the name of these
young men. Their name were change to Belteshazzar (keeper of the hidden treasure of Bel), Shadrach (the inspiration of the sun), Meshach (Of the goddess Shach), and Abed-nego (servant of shining fire). Though their names were changed, they never lost their love and reverence for God. *Note* (remember this for later).
Let’s Fast-forward to Daniel 2. In Daniel 2, Daniel saves the lives of the king’s magicians and astrologers, and get him and his friend promoted. He accomplishes this by during the one thing that the magicians and astrologers couldn’t. Daniel interpreted the troubling prophetic dream of the King Nebuchadnezzar. He was given a promotion to the king’s court, and procured positions for his friends. Now that we are all caught up, let us delve into the text(Daniel 3).
Oh Lord Why Me?
Oh Lord Why Me?
How many of you know that your haters don’t always have to bare false witness in order to cause you problems. Sometimes they just lie in wait, and bide their time. They just wait on life’s misfortune to befalls, and then the move in to capitalize. This is what happened to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. The king decides to build a golden image, and order the people to worship it at the sound to music.
It’s not sure why Daniel was not present, or even why the 3 Hebrew Boys were even there. They were a part of the king’s court, so they had to know that it was come. One may wonder why they that didn’t make themselves scarce. I don’t know, but we know that they there. We also know that they didn’t bow. So now the haters move in for the kill. These haters were most likely Chaldeans who were eclipsed by the Three, because of Daniel.
Whatever the motive, it is not as important, as the fact that they were turned in. Let’s look at this. Daniel 3:9–12
They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever. You as king have issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, drum, and every kind of music must fall down and worship the gold statue. Whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire. There are some Jews you have appointed to manage the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men have ignored you, the king; they do not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
You see how they capitalized on this. They chose their words wisely, as to infuriate the king. They poured it on thick. Infuriated, the king called them for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. To have them explain themselves, and give them another chance.
Then in a furious rage Nebuchadnezzar gave orders to bring in Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king. Nebuchadnezzar asked them, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, is it true that you don’t serve my gods or worship the gold statue I have set up? Now if you’re ready, when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, drum, and every kind of music, fall down and worship the statue I made. But if you don’t worship it, you will immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire—and who is the god who can rescue you from my power?”
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question. If the God we serve exists, then He can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He can rescue us from the power of you, the king. But even if He does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”
Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He gave orders to heat the furnace seven times more than was customary, and he commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the furnace of blazing fire. So these men, in their trousers, robes, head coverings, and other clothes, were tied up and thrown into the furnace of blazing fire.
Let’s stop here for a moment. Why would God allow this three dedicated soul to face such a violent situation? Furthermore, why wouldn’t He deliver them before they were thrown into the furnace? I submit to you today
I. God allow situations like this so that we can prove something to ourselves.
1: After losing my aunt on August 16, 2013, I’ve learn that a man/woman has no idea how strong they can be, until they
have to be. I didn’t know if I could make it. I didn’t think that I could stand before you today, but I’m here.
2. There’s some parent s that didn’t think that they could handle parenthood, but family is thrive.
3. There is an alcoholic or drug addict that didn’t think that they could service without that chemical crutch, but they are five years.
4. There’s a D-boy out here (drug dealer) who thought that they couldn’t leave that life behind, but they are now making honest money.
II. God proves himself to out onlookers.
1. We come here Sunday after Sunday, shouting “my soul is anchored in the Lord,” but they never seen him work.
2. Then you have the ones that are looking for you to fail. God’s want them too.
So he shows himself strong before them.
Now that we know why they were in the furnace ,and why we have furnace situation, let us look at how to survive the oven.
How To Survive The Oven
How To Survive The Oven
I. Avoid the identity Crisis
1. Remember the name change.
1. Remember the name change.
King Nebuchadnezzar threw Shadrach (the inspiration of the sun), Meshach (Of the goddess Shach), and Abed-nego (servant of shining fire) into the furnace, but they knew that God still knew them as Hananiah (The grace of the Lord), Mishael (He that is the Strong God), and Azariah (The Lord is a help).
2. Walk into your Furnace knowing that no matter what they call you, God still knows who you as his child. He still knows you has His Redeemed.
2. Walk into your Furnace knowing that no matter what they call you, God still knows who you as his child. He still knows you has His Redeemed.
Trust God and Remember God’s Goodness
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own understanding;
think about Him in all your ways,
and He will guide you on the right paths.
Remember: Psalms 37:25
I have been young and now I am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous abandoned
or his children begging for bread.
Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
as long as I live.
If I walk into the thick of danger,
You will preserve my life
from the anger of my enemies.
You will extend Your hand;
Your right hand will save me.
I can walk into the craziest of circumstances, for the sake of the Kingdom, knowing that my Faithful GOD is walking with me. His rod and His staff are there to cover and perfect me.
III. Stay Connected ( Pray and Study)
III. Stay Connected ( Pray and Study)
Pray constantly.
2 Timothy 2:15 (HCSB)
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.
I have sought You with all my heart;
don’t let me wander from Your commands.
I have treasured Your word in my heart
so that I may not sin against You.
Lord, may You be praised;
teach me Your statutes.
With my lips I proclaim
all the judgments from Your mouth.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 says "Pray continually", encouraging us to maintain a constant and open line of communication with God through prayer. In 2 Timothy 2:15, we are urged to "do [our] best to present [ourselves] to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." This verse reminds us to diligently study and understand God's word so that we can live in accordance with it. Similarly, Psalm 119:10-13 emphasizes the importance of seeking God with all our hearts, meditating on His word, and following His commands. By staying connected to God through prayer and study, we can deepen our faith and strengthen our relationship with Him.
Listen For Your Name to Be Called and Follow God Out
Listen For Your Name to Be Called and Follow God Out
He exclaimed, “Look! I see four men, not tied, walking around in the fire unharmed; and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”
Nebuchadnezzar then approached the door of the furnace of blazing fire and called: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you servants of the Most High God—come out!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire. When the satraps, prefects, governors, and the king’s advisers gathered around, they saw that the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men: not a hair of their heads was singed, their robes were unaffected, and there was no smell of fire on them. Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent His angel and rescued His servants who trusted in Him. They violated the king’s command and risked their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.
As we conclude our study of Daniel 3, we see that God not only rescued Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace, but He also used their faithfulness as a witness to King Nebuchadnezzar and all who witnessed the miraculous event. The king acknowledged the power and sovereignty of God and even praised Him for His deliverance.
In the same way, God is still at work in our lives today, and He invites us to trust Him and follow Him, even when the path is difficult or uncertain. We may face trials and challenges that test our faith, but we can be confident that God is with us and will never leave us or forsake us.
So, let us listen for our name to be called and follow God out, just as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did. Let us trust in His goodness and sovereignty, even when we don't understand His ways or His will. And let us be a witness to those around us by living out our faith with courage and conviction. May God bless you and keep you always.